15 Rich, Creamy, and Dairy-Free Risottos For Your Holiday Dinner

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Risotto is known for being both amazingly delicious and notoriously difficult to make. Cooking the perfect risotto involves a lot of different components; first, you need a starchy rice. Arborio rice is the most popular, but as you’ll see in one of the recipes below, other grains may be used. Risotto is cooked in broth with the addition of butter, onion, and sometimes wine. Cheese is usually added at the end. As the rice cooks, you add the liquid and it’s very important that you carefully monitor the pot to ensure the perfect consistency — we think you get it. Making risotto can be very tricky, but once you learn all the proper tips, it’s actually not that hard! And luckily, even though risotto is made with butter, it’s easy to make vegan, thanks to dairy-free cheeses and butter.

It’s a tradition for many families to serve an Italian dinner for the holidays — so, why not include risotto on your table? These 15 vegan risottos are a guaranteed hit at any holiday dinner.

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1. Saffron Risotto With Roasted Vegetables

You’ll love this Saffron Risotto With Roasted Vegetables. It’s rich and creamy, thanks to the addition of cashew cream and nutritional yeast. It can go with any roasted vegetables; just use whatever’s in season. The combination of cherry tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini, and eggplant in this recipe goes so well with the thyme and the saffron added as well.

2. Artichoke and Spinach Risotto With Lemon Cashew Cream

Spinach and artichoke dip is a classic at almost any get-together and its cheesy, gooey, goodness is a hit with everyone. Well, this Artichoke and Spinach Risotto With Lemon Cashew Cream is a lot like that dip, only better because it’s risotto. The lemon cashew cream makes this risotto extra rich, super creamy, and just bright enough for an easy, yet decadent mid-week lunch.

3. Cauliflower Risotto With Cashew Cheese

Risotto has a reputation for being notoriously tricky to make, but it’s way easier than you think, especially this Cauliflower Risotto With Cashew Cheese. It’s made from a mix of riced cauliflower and brown rice, so if you’re cutting carbs, you can still indulge. All it takes is a little patience and when your friends and family are digging into creamy risotto topped with crunchy roasted almonds and tangy fermented cashew cheese, they’ll be able to taste the love in every bite.

4. Creamy Pumpkin Risotto With Sweet and Spicy Pepitas

Want to serve a show-stopping main for the holidays that’s a step above the rest? Look no further than this decadent Creamy Pumpkin Risotto With Sweet and Spicy Pepitas. It’s both rich and delicious with an amazing depth of flavor brought on by all the spices. And because it’s both vegan and gluten-free, it will satisfy everyone at the table!

5. Saffron Risotto With Butternut Squash

This Saffron Risotto With Butternut Squash is creamy and flavorful. Not only is it infused with saffron, it’s cooked in a little bit of white wine to make it extra special. This dish can be eaten as a meal, a side, or used to stuff some mushrooms for a delectable appetizer or main meal, depending on the type of mushroom you use.

6. Red Pepper Risotto

This Red Pepper Risotto is rich, decadent, and creamy, but it contains no cream at all — not even cashew cream! It gets its amazing texture by cooking red bell peppers and then puréeing them until smooth. Not only does it make the texture amazing, it makes the flavor amazing, along with fresh rosemary, ginger, and sautéed onion. If you aren’t a fan of fresh ginger, try adding different herbs or spices, such as smoked paprika.

7. Vegetable Paella Risotto

This Vegetable Paella Risotto combines the best of the worlds of paella and risotto into one seriously delicious and comforting meal. It has a creamy texture like risotto and the savory flavors of paella without the dairy or seafood. What’s the secret? Smoked paprika. This dinner entrée is so flavorful, packed with vegetables, and not to mention, easier than traditional risotto.

8. Wild Mushroom and Leek Risotto

This hearty and filling Wild Mushroom and Leek Risotto is perfect for your holiday table. Soft, tender mushrooms are enveloped in a creamy and garlicky arborio rice and then topped with some fresh vegan Parmesan. Flavorful and delicious.

9. Risotto With Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Truth be told, this Risotto With Crispy Brussels Sprouts is amazing. Crispy roasted brussels sprouts add a dimension of texture as they sit atop a bed of creamy risotto. Risotto may be time-consuming, but this recipe is hardly difficult! It takes little effort to create a warm, comforting, and flavorful meal.

10. Lemony Butternut Squash Risotto

This healthy Lemony Butternut Squash Risotto has so much going for it: tons of flavor from the slow cooked onions, garlic, and rosemary, a super creamy texture from the pumpkin, and a cheesy flavor from the nutritional yeast. Adding the zest and juice of a whole lemon gives it just the right kick!

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11. Carrot Barley Risotto

This Carrot Barley Risotto is made with hearty barley as an alternative to the standard arborio rice. Ginger and garlic substitute as aromatics in place of the traditional onion used in risotto, resulting in flavors that are unlike any other.

12. Balsamic Split Pea and Mushroom Risotto

This Balsamic Split Pea and Mushroom Risotto is risotto in the most untraditional sense. There’s no rice or wine, yet when you experience its rich taste and soft texture, there will be no doubt in your mind that it’s worthy of the name “risotto.” The delicious green split peas cooked in flavorful vegetable broth, vinegar, and spices until they achieve a purée-like texture. Just before serving, a mixture of sautéed mushrooms and other vegetables are added. Top with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for texture and enjoy this indulgent meal.

13. Butternut Squash Risotto With Sage and Toasted Hazelnuts

If you’re all about herbs and spices, you will absolutely fall in love with this Butternut Squash Risotto With Sage and Toasted Hazelnuts. The pure, clean scent of sage complements butternut squash like a dream. Topped with toasted hazelnuts, the flavors in this butternut squash risotto are transcendent.

14. Truffled Mushroom Risotto

Whether you’re looking for an indulgent celebratory meal, or just a cozy, stay-home-in-your-PJ’s dish, look no further than this Truffled Mushroom Risotto. It’s loaded with heady and aromatic truffles and cooks up silky and divine. And it’s dead simple — so don’t be intimidated!

15. Sweet Potato Risotto With Sausage and Brussels Sprouts

Creamy orange sweet potatoes and plump grains of rice create a comforting bowl of goodness. This Sweet Potato Risotto With Sausage and Brussels Sprouts makes a full and impressive meal when topped with crunchy sprouts, tart dried cranberries, and succulent pieces of vegan sausage.